I had a really proud moment today being a father. It wasn’t the fact that my boy, Caleb (3rd from left), was being honored for being a Board Scholar.
I mean, it’s pretty awesome that only six kids in his school were able to win that award from the county school system. No, my proud moment was tying Caleb’s tie today. Looking at him as a boy becoming a young man knowing that he’d be tying that same knot in a tie one day to walk down an isle.
I’m trying the best I can to cherish these days while realizing how quickly the time goes by. I’m so proud of him. He’s worked really hard this year at school and he finishing elementary school at the top of the class. Tests, grades, conduct… the whole nine yards. Good going Caleb.
How it was shot :: 200mm at 2.8. Available light at the DeKalb County Board Scholar award ceremony. Held back tears when looking through the viewfinder.
Cheers,
Zack
41 Comments
Aw. Love the story and all the emotion behind such a seemingly simple image. Congrats to Caleb the Scholar!
Oh, I love this shot and what you wrote. I got all teary-eyed for you. My baby girl is just 2 years old and it is going so fast… I doing my best to cherish every moment with her. :) Thank you for sharing this with us!
This rules. Plain and simple. My boy is about to turn 1 and every day with him is truly the best. Thanks for sharing.
=D
I love this shot so much. It says so much, all on it’s own…your words just make it that much more special.
Beautifully said. The time flys and sometimes I’m too busy capturing the moment to enjoy it. Thank God the wife is there to help balance that. Enjoy these days, and Congrats to the boy!
I have two girls and I understand your pride :-) Congrats!
Thank you so much for writing about this moment. I took a deep breath as I just kissed my kids while they sleep tonight knowing how blessed we are to have these moments:). Enjoy the ride and all it’s moments! He’ll always remember you being there for him on this special day too I’m sure. Nice parenting :). This is what it’s all about!
As Gretchen Rubin says, The days are long but the years are short. So glad you have the time to enjoy the moments. What a lovely capture and sentiment.
Zack
great time capsule moment. It is so true about the boy becoming a man. I have a son who has just started his final year of primary school here in Australia and I can see the change already in his attitude now that he is a senior in the school. I am sure this is a picture that not only you will cherish, but one that Caleb will look upon in the future as “a great photo my dad took of me when I was young”.
Keep up the great work
Tony
Congratulations Zack & Caleb! As a father, to watch your kids grow it’s the best gift you’ll ever receive.
Zack. I’ll never forget the photo from several years ago of Caleb walking to his first day of Kindergarten. I believe the shot was on the sidewalk, early in the morning, as he was walking into school. It made a lasting mark on me. And made me remember to step away from the hustle of life every once in a while and be a part of my kids lives.
It’s crazy to see how Caleb has grown! Tell him I say congrats. He is a good little dude.
~dave
Zack – I’ve said this before… being a dad proves that time-travel only works in one direction. Cherish every moment, even the challenging ones. But, I know you already know all of this. Enjoy Dubai. I’ve put my dirham down on you for the shootout! @;–)
Absolutely loved the story here. No kids here yet but I’m looking forward to this moment in my life.
Great capture as well.
-Brian
Well done…all the way around!
Your dedicated parenting is something to be admired!
Nice pic, Zack…those are the best times behind the camera…see you in the gulf…best, Joe
Nice on Zack and well done to Caleb.
Nice job Dad. Speaking as a father, I know how important these moments are. Don’t let them go by.
Zack, I normally don’t post, but always view and admire your work. This one is different, as like most, I am a father and share with you in this moment as I have had them myself. Next time don’t hold back the tears, nothing wrong in having tears of joy. Congrats to you and to your boy. And thank you for being an inspiration for my renewed found interest in photography.
Beautiful Zack. When it’s all over, our kids will be our most important, and only lasting, legacy. Everything else
just doesn’t matter very much.
My eleven-year-old son and I had our own bonding experience last night: sex-education seminar at school. Complete with cartoon video of genitals doing what they do. Roomful of red-faced 5th graders, alternately
fascinated and repelled by it all.
Thanks for this image, Zack.
This is so real and so powerful. I love reading/seeing this part of your life! Way to go Caleb and way to go Mom and Dad :)
I’m sure Caleb knows how proud you are too. Gotta go hug my boys now! Thanks Zack!
What a wonderful moment. Beautiful story Zack!!! Thanks for sharing!
Zack you images inspire me. The emotion you put behind them are amazing.
Congrats to Caleb for being just a wonderful young man.
is it me, or does this resemble Harry Potter? lol — but seriously, you have good kids Z, cause you and Meg are good people…the math is easy, good people breed good kids!
This one is fantastic Zack. Being a dad and having the opportunity to
see these life benchmarks are the things that keep me going.
Thanks for sharing this one.
Cheers!
I found this blog through your Twitter link. Anyway, I’m doing my first ever 365 this year. And it is owning me in February. ;) I can’t even imagine what June is going to feel like. Anyway, I love this shot of your son and I’m very impressed with your tie skills. Kudos to you and your kiddo. :)
Beautiful shot, Zack. Just adding to what everyone above said about fatherhood. My three boys are grown but a shot I took of them on a beach in Hawaii about 18 years ago may be my favorite shot of all time. I’ve helped tie a few ties too. The tears never stop.
There is something about being a father that makes a good man even better. Kids are the best legacy a man could ever have. Good job Zack!
Awesome stuff Zack. And congrats to your son. Rock on!
Smart, good looking and funny.. you could say he has it all!! Meg’s genes run strongly in your boys! ;-)
Congratulations to Caleb! That’s really great to hear that he’s doing so well. You’ve obviously pushed great morals and values on him. Keep up the great work!
Sincere congrats!
Hi Zack,
I wanted to ask you a question. As of late, you are using the 5DMKII more and more. I am even seeing you using 580EXs. Whatever happened to the D3 and why are you preferring the 5DMKII?
Joe McNally just posted on here…Really?
Congrats Zack! Our kids grow up too fast…
Thank you,thank you:^D
Caleb, congratulations on your accomplishment! You have the coolest mom and dad in the world BTW… Music and photography, how cool is that? Best wishes to you Caleb!
Chris
pretty rad dude. congrats on this. a huge achievement as a parent :)
Just felt that moment you were through, Zack!
Happy about Caleb’s achievement =)
Cheers!
excellent… i know the feeling…. thankful, sad and grateful all wrapped in the knowledge of this fleeting life…